Cambodia Leadership Review
With more than three decades dedicated to economic development, vocational training, and social impact, Pierre Tami—founder of SHIFT360 and the Academy of Culinary Arts Cambodia (ACAC)—has been a driving force in shaping Cambodia’s hospitality landscape. From establishing the country’s first internationally certified culinary academy to creating pathways for marginalized youth, his work is rooted in the belief that dignity, opportunity, and excellence should be accessible to all.
In this interview, Pierre reflects on the evolution of ACAC, the role of hospitality in fostering inclusion, and Cambodia’s growing potential as a regional training hub. With initiatives like the Naomi Tami Memorial Scholarship Fund and a strong focus on regional collaboration, his mission continues: to unlock potential, elevate standards, and ensure no young person is left behind.
Training the Next Generation
CLR: You’ve played a pivotal role in shaping Cambodia’s hospitality education landscape through the Academy of Culinary Arts Cambodia. What was your original vision for ACAC, and how has it evolved to meet the demands of today’s industry?
When we established the Academy of Culinary Arts Cambodia, the vision was clear: to build a world-class institution that would equip young Cambodians with the skills, mindset, and professionalism needed to succeed in the global hospitality industry. We wanted to shift perceptions — to show that hospitality is not just a job, but a dignified and aspirational career.
In fact, I had to fight to keep the word “academy” instead of “school,” and we speak intentionally about “chefs,” not “cooks.” These distinctions matter — they set the tone for excellence and respect. The gap in international-standard hospitality training was well-documented by various development agencies. ACAC was created to address that chronic shortfall.
Since then, the Academy has evolved to keep pace with industry changes. We’ve integrated digital tools, sustainability practices, and global certification standards — while always anchoring our approach in excellence and character formation. What inspires me most is seeing our students become ambassadors of Cambodian talent, both here and abroad. Many have been recognized internationally for their skills and professionalism. Their success is living proof that quality education transforms not just individual lives, but entire industries.
Empowerment Through Hospitality
CLR: Through SHIFT360 and your wider work, you’ve emphasized dignity and opportunity for vulnerable groups. How do you see the hospitality sector as a tool for long-term social and economic inclusion in Cambodia?
Hospitality is one of the most inclusive industries — especially for young people with limited formal education. It doesn’t ask where you come from; it asks what you’re willing to learn and how committed you are to grow. That’s incredibly empowering. At SHIFT360, our focus has always been on building pathways that link vulnerable and marginalized communities with real, sustainable opportunities. Hospitality offers more than employment — it offers dignity. It teaches confidence, communication, and pride in one’s work. When someone puts on a uniform, serves with purpose, and feels valued, it redefines their future.
We’re now preparing to launch a Housekeeping and Butler Academy — with a strong emphasis on professionalism and service excellence. Encouragingly, we are seeing growing participation from women, including in leadership roles. For example, one of our board members is an Emirati woman who became the first local female General Manager of a five-star hotel in Dubai. Her passion for skill development in this sector is inspiring, and her involvement reinforces our belief that excellence should be accessible to all — regardless of gender or background.
Hospitality is one of the most inclusive industries — especially for young people with limited formal education. It doesn’t ask where you come from; it asks what you’re willing to learn and how committed you are to grow. That’s incredibly empowering. At SHIFT360, our focus has always been on building pathways that link vulnerable and marginalized communities with real, sustainable opportunities.
Hospitality offers more than employment — it offers dignity. It teaches confidence, communication, and pride in one’s work. When someone puts on a uniform, serves with purpose, and feels valued, it redefines their future.
Regional Collaboration & Talent Mobility
CLR: The Mekong Hospitality Alliance brings together top schools across the region. What opportunities do you see for Cambodia to emerge as a regional hub for hospitality training and talent export?
The Mekong region holds enormous untapped potential — culturally, economically, and especially in its youth. The Mekong Hospitality Alliance brings together leading institutions from Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, with the shared goal of raising training standards and facilitating talent mobility across borders.
Cambodia has a real opportunity to position itself as a regional hub — not only by training local talent to international standards, but by hosting cross-border exchanges, internships, and specialized academies. ACAC graduates are already working in countries like Japan and the UAE, where their skills are in high demand. Imagine the impact if we scale this approach.
But it requires more than strong curriculum — it needs trusted certification, regional cooperation, and aligned standards. We’re at a critical juncture where Cambodia has the infrastructure, momentum, and international goodwill to lead in this space. We just need to seize it.
A Legacy of Opportunity
CLR: With the Naomi Tami Memorial Scholarship Fund now supporting women and youth in hospitality, what do you hope this legacy initiative will achieve in the next 5–10 years?
The Naomi Scholarship Fund is deeply personal. It honors the life of our daughter — her compassion, her strength, and her unwavering belief in giving others a chance. Naomi grew up in Cambodia and shared our family’s commitment to service, especially toward youth and women. She graduated from a Swiss hospitality school and later moved to the U.S. to further her development, always intending to return to Cambodia and contribute. That dream now lives on — not just in our hearts, but in the lives of the many young Cambodians inspired by her legacy.
For many of these students, financial hardship would have made such a journey impossible. The scholarship removes that barrier. Today, Naomi Scholars are working in respected positions, and some have even launched their own businesses. As Naomi’s favorite song says, they truly “shine like diamonds in the sky.”
In the next 5 to 10 years, we want this fund to grow into more than just financial support. We hope it becomes a symbol — a movement — that reaches beyond Cambodia. We want it to inspire a regional commitment to never leave any young person behind. Too often, poor youth are offered second-rate alternatives. But they deserve quality, they deserve excellence, and they deserve a future filled with dignity and opportunity.
A solid education, a well-paying job, social justice in society, and dignity for the individual — these are not privileges. These are rights. And they are rights that our family has worked toward for more than 35 years. Through this fund — and through Naomi’s enduring memory — we will continue to fight for a future where no one is forgotten, and everyone is lifted up. CLR
